Top 5 Most Important Skills, According To Harvard Business School

By Hannah Bennett | Published

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Business skills
Business skills have become an indispensable part of life for many people who hope to advance in their careers. Mastering these critical skills will not only help ensure your personal success, but also the success of your business or organization. Join us as we take a closer look at specific skills listed by Harvard Business School that can transform your ability to lead and forge success for yourself and others around you.
Understanding Economics
Understanding Economics: Developing a foundational understanding of economics will go a long way. For example, you may want to study the basics of pricing methods and market dynamics. Harvard Business School lists “understanding of economics” as it’s top recommended business skill.
Data Analysis Skills
Data Analysis Skills: Studies show an increasing number of companies, such as Microsoft, Uber, and Blue Apron, are leveraging analytics to drive growth.
Financial Accounting Skills
Financial Accounting Skills: Understanding accounting can help your career significantly. Harvard Business School emphasizes the importance of understanding cash flow and profitability. This will allow you to accurately assess your organization’s performance and make more informed decisions about the best path forward.
Negotiation Skills
Negotiation Skills: Transforming yourself into a skilled negotiator can help your career by leaps and bounds. Both Harvard Business School as well as The World Economic Forum say negotiation is among the top essential business skills for success. This skill set will have secure better salaries for yourself and better opportunities for your business or organization.
Business Management Skills
Business Management Skills: There is a very strong coorelation between effective managerial skills and the performance of an organization. A Gallup study found that managers influence employee engagement by 70 percent. Highly effective managers can undoubtedly transform your business.